Feel free to post in-character here until we get the game up and ready to go. Think of this as a prelude area for the characters to interact and get to know each other better. While all of the characters would know each other from their studies at the temple, they wouldnt know each other well. At this point, none of the characters have been knighted, . . .

The training grounds are an oasis of peace in the hive of activity that is Coruscant. To the unpracticed eye, the large area appears to be a garden, filled with exotic plants, moss covered stones, and well worn cobblestone paths winding towards a modest sized open area filled with bleached white sand at its center. A few insects flutter or buzz between brightly colored plants from a thousand different worlds. The morning dew sparkles on leaves as the sun illuminates the training grounds.

At this time of morning, the training grounds are deserted with the exception of a few Temple staff who are darting through the area on their way to do their daily duties. The only sounds are from the gentle breeze moving showly through the leaves.

Gryphon Kyrk walks slowly through the training grounds at the Jedi Temple, taking in the quiet of the early morning. Air traffic courteously skims around the perimeter of the Temple grounds, such intrusions being strictly prohibited.

Many thoughts flew at hyperspeed through his mind; chief among them being the trials he just took. He knows there's no reason he should have had to take them so soon in his training; although he's among the best of the current crop of students where combat is concerned, he is sorely lacking in Force skills. Not raw ability; he had that in spades...but his instructors had constantly told him that his innate combat ability was in severe demand in these dark times, with the war raging between the Jedi and the Sith, every lightsaber was greatly needed.

Gryphon walked around one of the sparring rings, the memory of a thousand training sessions going through his mind. He remembers the Masters' amazement at his ability, the hard-@$$ instructors who drilled and drilled him, demanding not only perfection, but improvement upon that perfection.

Smiling with the memories, Gryphon steps into the ring, shedding his cloak and drawing his lightsabers. Looking at the hilts in his hands for several moments, he thinks on the fact that he's one of a very few individuals who routinely wield two lightsabers simultaneously. He knew there were even one or two running around here who used double-bladed lightsabers. He was definitely going to have to seek them out; his own ability with both lightsabers and staff weapons made it only logical to explore that option as well.

Allowing his thoughts to wash away, Gryphon opened himself up to the Force, letting it wash over and through him. When he found his center, he ignited his lightsabers and began running through katas.

Opening himself to the force, the force washes through him like a warm current. Even as the blades of his lightsabers spring into life, he takes a moment to enjoy the feel of the force flowing through him. The force is just so strong here. Without a second thought, he springs into motion, his lightsabers gently humming through the air.

Mishi'peshu walks sleepily into the garden, returning from the night's prowl. He heads toward his favorite tree, an old one with thick branches, and quickly climbs to a thick, high branch to lie down and take his morning nap. This place is one of the few here that reminds him of home on Mutanda.

He drowsily watches the passers by, waking every few moments to see if anything interesting is going on, then returns to his nap._________________RR
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Nearing the end of his run, Revv picks up the pace and pushes himself, tyring to finish strong. He takes a left and sees the familiar gate to the jedi training grounds just ahead. Breathing hard, he runs out his finishing kick and slows to a walk just as he enters the garden area.

Revv resists using the force to replenish his strength and instead lets his lungs do the hard work of replenishing his body with oxygen. Revv continues his cool-down walk through the garden and reaches out through the force to sense all of the life in the garden.

Garren steps out into the garden after his leisurely breakfast. He peers up squinting against the morning’s light peering in through the open roof. With nothing else to do until his appointment later, he walks through the trees and scoops up a thick fallen branch. He takes it over to a nearby bench, throws his long coat out behind him, sits down and makes himself comfortable. He then pulls out his large survival knife and begins whittling the branch, not really thinking much, just letting the force guide his hands as he scrapes and carves the branch into something else._________________"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Mishi'peshu naps lightly on the branch of a large old tree near the center of the training grounds overlooking the small open training area. On the other side of the small clearing, a human male, another student, is practicing his lightsaber technique. His movements are fluid and graceful as his twin blades arc through the air. Turning his gaze lazily, he watches as another figure enters the training ground.

Revv slows to a walk as he enters the training grounds. Breathing hard, his blothes damp with sweat, he reaches out with the force. A feeling of peace fills him as he senses the life surrounding him. Somewhere towards the middle of the training grounds, he can hear the gintle hum of a pair of lightsabers.

Garren finds himself setting on a small wooden bench near the center of the training grounds. A few small bushes block the view of the central area where he sees brief flashes of light as someone practices their lightsaber technique. After a while, he looks down at the wood in his hands. He finds a fist sized, nearly perfectly round ball of wood in his hand. Oddly, half of the wood is a much darker shade than the other half. Each teardrop shaped half has a knot in the wood, on the dark side, the knot is light in color, on the light side, the knot is a dark color. Looking at the yin-yang symbol, he recalls something that his master once said, "A light will shine brightest in the darkness. But no ammount of darkness can hide the light."

Making her way to the training grounds, Zela stretches in the morning sun, luxuriating in the feel of the sunlight sinking into her skin. Smiling and feeling full of energy she walks briskly around the training grounds cheerfully greeting anyone she encounters and even stopping to say hello to the flowers.

Mishi blinks sleepily, but is curious about the sudden change, unmoving from his perch, he'll watch the student training with lightsabers._________________RR
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Gryphon senses the Padawan's approach as he is working through the seventh kata of this workout; sweat streams freely down his face as brings his workout to a close. Extinguishing his lightsabers and clipping them to his belt in one smooth motion, he turns to the Padawan and, bowing his head in acknowledgement, listens as she delivers the summons. Thanking her, he retrieves his cloak and heads to the Council chambers. He swings through the 'fresher to clean up quickly, then reports as ordered.

Revv walks slowly toward the sound of the lightsabers as his breathing reaches normal levels. As the padawan delivers the summons, Revv grins and shrugs his shoulders, breaking once again into a jog. Revv heads straight for the Council Chambers.

After noticing the rather comely young woman who just entered the gardens, Garren fixes his hair a bit and checks to make sure his breath is ok before approaching Zela.

“Hi there! You’re just a cute as a button, aren’t ‘cha?” He says confidently.

“I was just fooling around and made this, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of than you.”

He holds out the sphere he made, offering it freely._________________"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

”That’s odd…” He thinks to himself. ”I wonder what the council could require of me.”

“Thank you, I will go there immediately.” He says to the padawan, standing up on the tree branch.

OOC: I was going to attempt an acrobatic dismount of the branch, nothing too fancy, just maybe swinging around the limb with a soft landing. I guess I’d better let you roll my Acrobatics for it though._________________RR
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Zela stopped in her favorite spot and was enjoying basking in the sun when a man’s voice drew her attention.

She smiled at the man’s greeting and compliment and was about to return his greeting with a cheerful one of her own when he offered her something he’d made. Curious, she reached out and took the piece of wood from him. At first she had mixed feelings holding what was once a part of a living tree, when she saw the symbol. Dark and Light moving together. Her mind flew back to when she was just a child and one of her earliest memories. Her mother was showing her an image and although it was not exactly of the same form as the symbol in her hand, it did show the forces of darkness and light, a concept her people’s entire society revolved around.

This must be a great gift, she thought. “I…thank you,” she said, stunned by his generosity. “But I could not possibly accept such a wonderful gift, at least not without giving you something in return.”

Zela looked at the ground then and wracked her brain trying to think of something worthy of such an exchange. She had just settled on the decision that she would need to make something herself when a young woman approached and directed her in a rather rushed voice to report to the Jedi Council Chambers. As the young woman had looked at both Zela and the nice young man who had given her the symbol, she assumed the message was for them both.

She smiled at the young man. “Shall we walk together?” She asked. “My names Zela and I think I have an idea of how I can repay you for your wonderful gift.”